Trailer



A. R. PRIBIL. 2,087,299

TRAILER Filed .July 22, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 l l (l il',

July 20, 1937.

A. R. PRIBIL July 20, 1937.

TRAILER Filefd July 22. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y Alexa n. Piilsnaw, Mien. appncanzsciiljzlosolvo. 32,548

This invention relates to vehicle construction, and particularly to a construction for a trailing unit adapted to be (connected to and drawn by a V power vehicle.

5 One of the prime objects of the invention is to provide a trailing unit of. simple, practical, and rugged construction, which can be easily and quickly attached or detached, and which is economical to manufacture and assemble.

l Another object is to provide a trailing unit which backs as perfectly as it travels forwardly, and at any speed, and which cannot get out of line and hinder turning or backing.

A further object is to provide a'rigid frame l withY a knee-action swiveled wheel mounting in which one'set of springs absorbs the recoil of the main vehicle springs, assuring smooth and easy riding` with all loads.

A still further object is to provide a trailer/ manufactured, which can be stored in a minimum of space, and which in use performs and handles exactly the same as if it were an exten sion of the driving vehicle.

o With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying draw ings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that'changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention. u

40 In the drawingsi Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of my improved trailing unit, f Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan View, 4

Fig..3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the 45 swiveled wheel assembly and mounting, and

Fig. 4 is a' rear view thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, thenumeral I0 indicates the frame 50 of the trailer; this is of rigid construction, being preferably formed of channels or other steel shapes welded together inthe usual manner, and a 'body II is mounted onl the frame and in which the load is carried, the side members of the frame 55 projecting beyond the front end of the body. and

manner to be presently described.

suitable swiveling means is provided for connecting each side member to a power vehicle (not shown), so that-the trailer may be attached to the bumper or other portion of the framework thereof. y 5

The wheel assembly shown in detail in Figs. 3 and i of the drawings is connected to the lower face of the frame and comprises a bearing block. I2 secured to the frame I II by means of bolts I3, said block being formed with a centrally disposed socket I4 in which the vertically disposed shaft or stem I5 is mounted, said stem depending below the frame, and a bracket member I6 is journaled thereon and is held in position by means of spring washers I1 in the conventional 15 manner.

Spaced apart, angularly disposed recoil springl sockets I8 are formed integral with the bracket I6, and coil springs I9 are mounted therein and serve to cushion and check the rebounds in a An offset hub section 2li is also formed integral with the bracket, and spaced apart, outwardly projecting, over-1 hanging arms 2i are formed integral therewith, these arms terminating in a disc shaped cap 22, having a pilot boss 23 on the inner face thereof.

The hub section 2B is longitudinally bored to receive the bolt 2S, and the fork 25 is pivotally connected thereto, the upper ends of said fork being also bored to accommodate said bolt, and nuts and washers 26 and 2 respectively serve to complete the mounting.

and is provided with a spindle 29 which is mount- 35 ed in suitable openings provided in said fork, nuts 30 being provided for securing `it in position, and the pneumatic tire 3| insures easy riding and smoothness of operation.

Spring seats 32 are also provided on the fork 40 25, and main springs 33 are mounted therein, a boss or pilot 34 being provided in each seat and serves to center the lower ends of the springs, the upper ends of thesesprings engaging the pilots 23 of the disc shaped ends of the over- 45 hanging arms 2i so that as the vehicle travels over obstacles, rough and uneven roads, the springs will ex accordingly.

An angularly disposed flat rib or plate 35 is cast integral with and adjacent the upper end of the fork and forms a bearing for the recoil springs I 9, and when the wheel passes over a bump that definitely better riding qualities are assured and sharp hammer blows or shocks are thus absorbed, making also for longer wear, elimination of breakage, and smoother riding. 'I'he wheel is free to swivel and turn to accommodate the twists and/or turns of the driven vehicle, it is -fully universal, and can be readilyand quickly atwhich can be handled by the driven vehicle.

What I claim is:

1. In a trailing unit of the character described, in combination, a frame, a stem rigidly secured thereto, a bracket revolubly mounted thereon, and including a sleeve, offset sockets on said bracket, overhanging, angularly disposed arms projecting from the opposite side of the bracket, a trailing fork and wheel assembly pivotally secured to the bracket at a point spaced rearwardly from thevvertical axis thereof and adapted to pivot about a horizontal axis, spring seats on said fork at a point intermediate its length, springs interposed between said socket and the one set of spring seats, and opposed springs interposed between the fork and the overhanging, angularly disposed arms.

2. In a trailing unit of the class described, in combination, a rigid frame, a housing secured thereto, a vertically disposed stem securedin the housing, a bracket pivotally,r and removably mounted on the stem, and mounted to pivot about a vertical axis, oifset spring sockets formed on said bracket, `angularly disposed arms ,projecting from the opposite side thereof, a trailing fork and wheel assembly pivotally connected to the bracket and mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis, spring seats provided on the fork, at a point intermediate its length and opposed sets of springs bearing against opposite sides of the fork and engaging the sockets and arms respec tively.

3. In an apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a vehicle frame adapted to be attached to another vehicle, a bracket revolvably secured to the underside of the frame, a rearwardly curved fork having a horizontally disposed pivotal connection to said bracket and including a wh'eel assembly, arms on `said bracket andextending over said fork and provided with spring seats thereon, a socket on the forward.

respectively, so that the recoil of the rear rethe front spring seat and the fork, and between the rearspring .seat and the fork respectively, so that the recoil of one set of springs is absorbed by the opposite set of springs.

5. In a trailer apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rigid frame, a vertically disposed stem, a bracket revolvably mounted on the stem, rearwardly projecting arms on f said bracket and terminating in spring seats, sockets on the opposite side of the bracket, a trailing fork and Wheel assembly having a hori zontal pivotal connection to said bracket, spaced apart spring seats on said fork and springs interposed between the spring seats on the arms and fork and between the sockets and fork re spectively, so that one set of springs absorbs the recoil from the opposite set of springs.

6. In a trailer apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rigid frame, a vertically disposed stem secured to the underside of the frame, a bracket rotatably mounted on said stem and including opposed spring engaging means provided on the front and rear sides thereof, a rearwardly curved fork having a horizontal pivotal connection to said bracket and including spring seats, said fork being mounted to pivot about a horizontal axis, and opposed springs interposed between said fork and said front and rear spring engaging means, whereby one set of springs absorbs the recoil of the opposite set of springs. K

7. In a single Wheel trailer apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rigid f frame, a bracket detachably secured to the under side of the frame to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, opposed, angularly disposed, outwardly projecting, spring engaging members provided on the front and rear sides of said bracket, a rearwardly curved fork including a Wheel assembly having a horizontal pivotal connection to the bracket, and opposed springs interposed between said front and rear spring engaging members and said fork in such manner that the recoilhof one set of springs is absorbed by the oppositel set of springs.

ALEXIS R. PRIBIL. 

